Effect of Raf/MEK/ERK signal pathway on CXCL16-induced proliferation of lymphocytes in CIA mice

Objective To study the effect of Raf/MEK/ERK signal pathway on CXCL16-induced proliferation of lymphocytes in CIA mice. Methods Effect of CXCL16 on proliferation of lymphocytes in CIA mice was detected by CCK8 assay.Expressions of TNF-α and RANKL as well as p-Raf-1 and p-ERK1/2 protein in cell supernatant were detected by ELISA and Western blotting,respectively.Effect of MEK inhibitors on CXCL16-induced changes in expression of TNF-α and RANKL as well as p-Raf-1 and p-ERK1/2 protein in cell supernatant was observed. Results CXCL16 had no significant effect on proliferation of lymphocytes in normal mice.The proliferation level of lymphocytes was significantly higher in CIA+CXCL16 group than in CIA blank and CIA+CXCL16+inhibitor groups（P＜0.05）.The TNF-α level was significantly higher in CIA+CXCL16 group than in other groups（P＜0.01）.The RANKL level was significantly higher in CIA+CXCL16 group than in CIA blank group（P＜0.01） with no significant difference between CIA+CXCL16 and CIA+CXCL16+inhibitor groups.The expression level of p-Raf-1 and p-ERK1/2 was significantly higher in CIA+CXCL16 group than in CIA blank group（P＜0.05）. Conclusion CXCL16 can induce proliferation of lymphocytes in CIA mice by activating the Raf/MEK/ERK signal pathway.